Man admits withholding info in Pat Ward murder investigation

A 49-YEAR-OLD man has admitted withholding information in respect of the murder of Pat Ward which occurred five years ago next month.

The victim, a 30-year-old married father of four children, suffered severe head trauma and stab wounds, before being dragged from the scene and abandoned half-naked in an alleyway in Clogher in February 2019.

William Hamilton, from McCaughey Terrace, Fintona but previously of McCrea Park in Clogher, admitted knowing or believing that an offence namely murder had been committed on February 9, 2019 and having information likely to secure or be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of some person for that offence, failed to give it to police.

Apart from the charge being read no details surrounding the circumstances of Hamilton’s offending were disclosed during the short hearing at Dungannon Crown Court, where he spoke only to confirm his identity and enter a guilty plea. A defence barrister advised he has directed psychiatric reports are obtained which will take some time. Pre-sentence reports are also to be prepared.

Judge Fiona Bagnall remanded Hamilton on continuing bail of £500 bail to return for sentencing on April 23. When previously applying for Legal Aid to be extended to cover barrister fees for the committing hearing, the defence said, “There were various issues some of which have been taken away by extensive publicity.”

Nial Cox (28) and Karen Marie McDonald (38), both of McCrea Park in Clogher, are serving prison sentences for murder and manslaughter respectively, which were handed down in September.